Orion Music and More, Day 1

We started off the morning exploring Detroit and the Renaissance Center. Lori and I hopped on the People Mover and took 15 minute ride on this monorail thing which is only two cars long and had a total of 3 other passengers. All we could do was think of the legendary Simpsons monorail episode and laugh. But Detroit has some really cool, unique architecture and some quite beautiful spots downtown - it was surely worth the 75 cents the 15 minute tour took. Met one guy who is a local and said he was going to Orion later too.

Then we roamed the river walk and bizarrely futuristic hotel/GM HQ/mall thing. Took a lot of Larry pictures then hopped on first bus to get to Orion. 

Globe of Death!

After about half the attendees entrance was rejected by malfunctioning scanner systems, we got in, bought 3 new Metallica shirts and entered Kirk’s Crypt since we spotted a very short line. The crypt is a showcase for all of Kirk Hammett’s horror movie memorabilia. It was bigger than last year and more freaking people dressed up inside and turning it into a haunted house. We watched a demo with a makeup pro turning a girl into a zombie too.

Then we had killer food from Detroit’s world famous Slows Bar-B-Q; Triple Threat on a Stick and Mac & Cheese.

After that it was time for the first bands to start. Caught The Bronx and liked them a lot. Then we moved on to local band Battlecross who were the heaviest of heavy with tremendous in sync head banging and a great cover of Slayer’s “War Ensemble.” After that we roamed in the Met Club tent and got to pose with Metallica’s gear, check out the new Metallica pinball machine and cavort with a whole lot of other Metalli-crap, followed by the car show and Globe of Death - a cool motorcycle stunt show, which was also something done by The Simpsons.

Dropkick Murphys

The next band was Boston’s own Dropkick Murphys and I must admit I had no idea these guys were big anywhere outside of New England, but they got a big crowd and rocked hard. They also represented Boston in a major way, thanking everyone for support after the marathon bombing, playing their Red Sox, Bruins and Mickey Ward inspired songs, plus Shipping Up To Boston and a cover of AC/DC’s T.N.T. - just when I thought that was the highlight they told us Metallica was playing a surprise set of old shit - we bolted and I got there as The Four Horsemen was starting and I quickly realized they were playing Kill ‘Em All from start to finish. Heaven! This surprise was cool beyond words. I’d only recently accepted they’d play only once, then they pull this out. I love this band. Needless to say, they kicked ass and then it tool a little bit to find Lori again. With her full permission, I left her behind as I raced to see the mighty Metallica. She got there too, but by then there were thousands of bodies between us.

Secret Metallica Gig!

Kill 'em All, start to finish.

We eventually found eachother and headed to the EDM tent for Bassnectar. Lori didn’t last long, but I had a blast. He played some Hendrix, Nirvana, Beatles and even Motorhead all remixed, sampled and dancified with an insane amount of bass. The kids loved it. It was the next generation mosh pit, everyone going off in sync but without the violence.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers closed the night. Most of the hits are a bit slow, for my taste, to follow Kill ‘Em All and Bassnector, but once they cranked into Higher Ground I was rejuvenated. Man, I forgot how many radio hits RHCPs have had over the years. Much like last year, the bus ride home was a blast with the whole bus singing Creeping Death, and one out his mind fan trying to choreograph different verses for front and back of the bus, and then even calling for the elderly bus driver to take a verse. The driver responded by turning up the volume. Smart dude.

Great day. And tomorrow is the REAL Metallica show - can’t wait to see what tricks they pull out next. 

Metalli-stats

I'm writing this at 35,000 feet above the ground flying to Detroit for Metallica's Orion Music & More festival. 

This next Met show is my first show since the last show which was the best show ever. Last June at the inaugural Orion in Atlantic City, I won snake pit passes and was in the 2nd row as Metallica played their Black Album in its entirety. I'd be lying to say I'm not disappointed they are only playing one night as opposed to two this year, but I am psyched to see what surprises the band might have in store for me, plus discovering a slew of new bands to become a fan of (last year I fell for Ghost and Volbeat), and I'm really excited to dive into the EDM tent (Electronic Dance Music). I don't know squat about it but every now and then I hear a hard rocking bass-heavy track that makes me think I'm ready for an all night rave. 

Sunday night will be my 31st Metallica show. This is the fifth time I've flown to see them, and the trip gives me a new city and state not just for concerts but for visiting at all. The goal is to visit all 50 states, this puts me at 29 I believe. 

My Metallica t-shirt count is now at 102 with more to be purchased this weekend. And one of the coolest things about these festivals is meeting people who put my numbers to shame. In Atlantic City, the tiny woman in front of me in the front row was at her 50th show. And she lives in Japan!

Larry The Lizard picks up his Orion pass

GM Renaissance Center, Detroit

My Personal Experiences with Holotropic Breathwork

Healing and Mystical States Are Just a Breath Away: Personal Experiences with Holotropic Breathwork is all about my experiences with Holotropic Breathwork - an amazing modality for healing via non-ordinary states of consciousness.

The book covers six of my first-hand accounts of breathwork. I dig deep into my journals and share details for the first time. I'm doing this because I want more people to now about the powerful, mind-warping trips they can take merely with their breath. Holotropic Breathwork is the most powerful personal growth and transformation tool I have encountered. It was nothing short of miraculous for me.

In case you didn’t realize it, you don’t even need a Kindle device to read Kindle books. There are apps that allow you to read Kindle books on just about every device from a PC to an iPad.

Get the whole collection!

Loving Yourself: A Workshop for Men

I'm teaching a new workshop next month - Loving Yourself: A Workshop for Men – on Thursday, May 9th 6:30-9:30pm at Heaven on Earth, in Pembroke Ma

No, this isn’t about masturbation. This is a live workshop about what we truly want and desire most, yet so few men are willing to even speak of it: Love. We will focus where I believe love starts, self-love.

Do you feel unable to ask for the love and support you want?

Do you feel blocked in expressing your love for others? What about for yourself?

If you can’t fully love yourself you can never give or attract the amount of love you desire and are worthy of.

Ladies, we adore you, but you will not be able to attend this event. This is an experiential workshop especially for men. The evening will be a combination of guided meditation, lecture, and exercises rooted in energy work and research from Positive Psychology.


Unconditional love is the greatest gift you can give to yourself. Let’s make it happen.
Be sure to bring a notebook and pen for journaling exercises and to capture your “aha” moments.
Thursday, May 9th 6:30-9:30pm. $49. Click here to register.

Homer the Hound Dog's Guide to Happiness: 6 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dog!

Today, two months after losing my beloved dog Homer, I'm proud to announce that the eBook full of his wisdom, love and photographs is available. Homer the Hound Dog's Guide to Happiness: 6 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dog! can be downloaded for the Kindle, and in case you didn't realize it you don't need a Kindle device to read Kindle books. There are apps that allow you to read Kindle books on just about every device from a PC to an iPad.

Homer the Hound Dog’s Guide to Happiness: 6 Life Lessons I Learned From My Dog!(Insights and photographs courtesy of my dog of 9 1/2 years)

When my dog Homer (affectionately called Homey) died suddenly in early January, 2013 it was one of the most emotionally painful events in my life. Homer had been by my side every day for over nine years.

In my initial days of grief, I began to realize all the wonderful things Homer taught me. I even consulted an animal communicator, or pet psychic. The messages received from Homer confirmed that I had to write this book.

This guide to happiness allows Homer to live on, touching more people.